Ballard leaves United Way, joins city schools

One agency's loss is another agency's gain as Jan Ballard, executive director of United Way of Lowndes County, heads over to the Columbus Municipal School District, where she will serve as school board clerk, assisting deputy superintendent Craig Shannon and streamlining responsibilities with the administrative assistant for the office of the superintendent.

The increased secretarial support was necessary as the district works toward its achievement improvement goals, district officials said today via email.

"It was no longer feasible for one administrative assistant to appropriately cover all the responsibilities needed to best serve the school district's needs moving forward," district public affairs public relations special assistant Michael Jackson wrote in the press statement. "With the addition of Jan Ballard as board clerk, the Columbus Schools' team has another quality employee to focus specifically on the needs and communication for the board, and she is doing an outstanding job. Columbus Schools is extremely fortunate to have her join the district team."

Ballard was chosen from 32 applicants for the $37,000 per year job, CMSD officials said today. She began Feb. 4.

She joined United Way as a campaign coordinator and project specialist in 1996 and had served as director since 2005.

Her first day on the job for CMSD was Feb. 4.

She will continue working as an agency volunteer during the transition period.

Her decision to leave was voluntary, board president Stewart Stafford told supporters in a Feb. 7 email.

"The decision to leave United Way was purely hers, and we are certainly thankful of the many years of dedicated service she provided to our organization," Stafford wrote. "I feel I can speak for the entire board of United Way in saying that we wish Jan all the best in her new adventure, and that we are confident in her ongoing success."

A search for a new director is currently underway, and applications will be accepted through Feb. 22.

Requirements include experience in executive leadership, experience with nonprofit organizations and a proven track record of fundraising and community leadership.

Ballard, a graduate of Caldwell High School, earned her bachelor's degree in family and human development from Mississippi University for Women.